http://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt709nf40k No online items Finding Aid for the R. M. (Rudolph M.) Schindler papers, 1904-1954 0000100 Finding aid prepared by Alexander Hauschild, Melinda Gandara, Jennifer Whitlock, and Chris Marino The finding aid for this collection was made possible by a Getty Foundation Archival Arrangement & Description Grant. Architecture and Design Collection, Art, Design & Architecture Museum Arts Building Room 1434 University of California Santa Barbara, California, 93106-7130 805-893-2724 [email protected] 2010 Finding Aid for the R. M. (Rudolph 0000100 1 M.) Schindler papers, 1904-1954 0000100 Title: R. M. Schindler papers Identifier/Call Number: 0000100 Contributing Institution: Architecture and Design Collection, Art, Design & Architecture Museum Language of Material: English Physical Description: 175.0 Linear feet(52 boxes, 36 flat file drawers, 1 oversize drawing) Date (bulk): Bulk, 1916-1953 Date (inclusive): 1904-1954 Abstract: The R. M. Schindler papers contain the work of the Viennese-born American architect, Rudolph Michael Schindler (1887-1953), primarily from his time in California. Schindler trained in Vienna at the Technische Hochschule, from which he graduated in 1911 and at the Akademie der bildenden Kunsteunder where he studied under Otto Wagner. He also came under the influence of Adolf Loos and his informal salons in Vienna. Schindler emigrated to the U.S. in 1914. Between 1917-1921, he worked with Frank Lloyd Wright, first in Chicago and Taliesin, then in Los Angeles where he moved in 1920 to help supervise the Barnsdall Hollyhock house. In 1921-1922 he designed and built his own house on Kings Road in Los Angeles. The collection includes personal papers, correspondance and specifications, product literature and publications, manuscript writings, photographs and drawings. The bulk of the Schindler collection was acquired in 1967 from Schindler's son. Most of materials are in English, however there is a significant amount of material in German. The collection includes original photographs and negatives taken by Schindler of his buildings, travels, the work of other architects (especially Frank Lloyd Wright) and his family and friends. His drawings document most of his circa 150 realized architectural projects, though many project files only contain a few drawings. The archive is arranged in four series: Personal Papers, Professional Papers, Office Records, and Project records. creator: Schindler, R. M., (Rudolph M. ), 1887-1953 -- Archives Access Open for use by qualified researchers. Custodial History note Gift of Mark Schindler, 1968. Additional materials gifted by Mrs. Wineld Park Blum in 1999 and Kathryn Smith and Randall Kennon, 2007. Preferred Citation R. M. Schindler papers, Architecture & Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California, Santa Barbara. Biographical/Historical note Rudolf Michael Schindler (1887-1953) was born in Vienna, Austria, where he studied architecture and engineering, graduating from the Royal Technical Institute and the Academy of Art. He also studied briefly with Otto Wagner and was part the circle of architects around by Adolf Loos. In 1914 he came to the United States where he worked first for the Chicago firm of Ottenheimer, Stern and Reichert, and then, from 1918-1919, with Frank Lloyd Wright in Spring Green, WI. He moved to Los Angeles in 1920 to supervise the construction of Wright’s Aline Barnsdall commission. There he set up his own architectural practice, working briefly with the engineer, Claude Chase (1921-1923), and as a partner with Richard Neutra in The Architecture Group for Industry and Commerce (1926-1927). In his lifetime he completed about 150 buildings, most of them in Los Angeles. His uncanny ability to design three-dimensional spaces (he called himself a “space architect”) sets him apart from most other modern architects. His house, which he designed and built on Kings Road in Los Angeles, is considered by some historians to be the “first modern house.” Scope and Content note R.M. Schindler papers, 1904-1954, (bulk 1916-1953) comprise 175 linear feet (52 boxes, 36 flat file drawers, and 1 oversize drawing). The collection includes personal papers, correspondence and specifications, product literature and publications, manuscript writings, photographs and architectural drawings. Most of materials are in English, however there is a significant amount of material in German. The collection includes original photographs and negatives taken by Schindler of his buildings, travels, the work of other architects (especially Frank Lloyd Wright) and his family and friends. His drawings document most of his circa 150 realized architectural projects, though many project files only contain a few drawings. Related Archival Materials David Gebhard papers, Architecture and Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California, Santa Barbara. Esther McCoy research papers, Architecture and Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California Santa Barbara. Finding Aid for the R. M. (Rudolph 0000100 2 M.) Schindler papers, 1904-1954 0000100 Esther McCoy papers, 1920-1989, bulk 1920-1989. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution. Frank Lloyd Wright correspondence with R. M. Schindler, 1914-1929, bulk 1918-1922, Getty Research Institute, Research Library, Accession no. 960076. Historic American Building Survey records, Architecture and Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California, Santa Barbara. Subjects and Indexing Terms Neutra, Richard Joseph, 1892-1970 Schindler, R. M., (Rudolph M. ), 1887-1953 Schindler, R. M., (Rudolph M. ), 1887-1953 Wright, Lloyd, 1890-1978 Architect-designed furniture -- United States -- 20th century Architectural drawings Architectural photographs Architecture -- California -- 20th century Architecture -- United States -- 20th century -- Sources Architecture, Modern -- 20th century -- California Correspondence Dwellings -- Design and construction -- Economic aspects -- United States Los Angeles (Calif.) Buildings, structures, etc. Modern movement (Architecture) -- California Negatives Prefabricated houses -- United States Reprographic copies Specifications Transparencies Personal Papers Series I. 1910-1959 Language of Material: English Physical Description: 2.0 Linear feet Scope and Contents The Personal papers series documents Schindler’s life outside of his career, including his immigration to the United States, personal relationships, and financial and legal matters unrelated to his work as an architect and designer. The Personal Papers Series is divided into six sub-series: Biographical Information, Correspondence, Photographs, Financial and Legal, Writing, and Memorial Exhibition. Biographical Information A. 1910-1950 Physical Description: 0.084 Linear feet Scope and Contents Biographical Information includes general information about Schindler’s life including immigration visas and his resume. Box 1, Folder 1 Austrian Citizenship Papers 1910-1914 Box 1, Folder 2 Petition for Issuance of Immigration VISA (parents) 1938 Box 1, Folder 3 Professional References 1908-1930 Box 1, Folder 4 Resume 1921-1950 Box 1, Folder 5 Staatsamt Für Unterricht (Austrian Interior Ministry, Department of Education) 1920 Box 1, Folder 6 United States Naturalization Papers 1914-1939 Finding Aid for the R. M. (Rudolph 0000100 3 M.) Schindler papers, 1904-1954 0000100 Personal Papers Series I.1910-1959 Biographical Information A.1910-1950 Box 1, Folder 7 Wagner, Otto 1913 Correspondence B. 1910-1957 Physical Description: 0.25 Linear feet Scope and Contents Personal Correspondence is organized alphabetically by correspondent including a folder of unidentified correspondents and a folder of letters written by Schindler himself that were never sent. Personal Correspondence includes letters between Schindler and his family, friends and his divorce lawyer. Box 1, Folder 8 Aronovici, Vladimir 1933 Box 1, Folder 9 Berry, C. L. 1926 Box 1, Folder 10 Bojczuk, Franzi (Sister) 1933-1952 Box 1, Folder 11 California Highway Patrol 1940 Box 1, Folder 12 Cunningham, Imogen 1928 Box 1, Folder 13 Dalappoloff, A. 1925 Box 1, Folder 14 Eckhart-Praeceptor, Irene 1931-1950 Box 1, Folder 15 Freeman, Harriet 1951-1957 Box 1, Folder 16 Gibling, Sophie S. 1927-1929 Box 1, Folder 17 Green, L. 1927 Box 1, Folder 18 Gruenenberger, A. 1924 Box 1, Folder 19 Hartman, Sadakichi 1929 Box 1, Folder 20 Hiska, Maude M. 1925 Box 1, Folder 21 Hollywood Anti-Nazi League 1938 Box 1, Folder 22 Iron Curtain Refugee Campaign of the International Rescue Committee, Incorporated 1950 Box 1, Folder 23 Janson, Ellen c. 1943 Box 1, Folder 24 Kaym, Franz N.D. Box 1, Folder 25 Keller, Alfred 1914 Box 1, Folder 26 Kerper, Charlotte 1937 Box 1, Folder 27 Layola Marie, Sister 1945 Box 1, Folder 28 Leveson, Abe 1923 Box 1, Folder 29 Loeffler, Gisela 1940-1941 Box 1, Folder 30 Marczinski, A. N.D. Box 1, Folder 31 Mariana 1931 Box 1, Folder 32 Marling, Jeanya N.D. Box 1, Folder 33 Mathews, R. L. 1935 Box 1, Folder 34 Reeg, Ernest L. N.D. Box 1, Folder 35 Schindler, Fanny 1930-1952 Box 1, Folder 36 Schindler, Mary 1951 Box 1, Folder 37 Schindler, Pauline Gibling 1925-1951 Box 1, Folder 38 Schindler, Rudolph 1938 Box 1, Folder 39 Schindler, R. M. (letters not sent) 1910-1932 Box 1, Folder 40 Schlessing, M. 1924-1938 Box 1, Folder 41 Sullivan, Liana N.D. Box 1, Folder 42 Toole, Maryon 1948 Box 1, Folder 43 "Uncle Fritz" 1914-1915 Box 1, Unidentified 1922-1953 Folder